Chapter Forty-Seven: Sword Control Technique and Its Derivative Arts

“Six Directions Pavilion?”

Zhou Changwang was taken aback. Wasn’t that where Qian Xiaoyue worked? He also knew that the Six Directions Pavilion was an establishment owned by a commercial alliance spanning several marketplaces. The place boasted a dazzling array of treasures—not only magical implements of all grades and uses, spirit pills, and talismans, but also incense, seeds of spiritual plants, puppets, spells, even array instruments and various inheritances…

It essentially matched Zhou Changwang’s needs. After all, as a low-level cultivator, he did not have high expectations. Without hesitation, he stepped inside.

“Welcome, fellow cultivator. My name is Xiaowei. May I ask what you are seeking today?”

He had barely crossed the threshold when a graceful female cultivator greeted him with a radiant smile.

“I’ll just have a look around,” Zhou Changwang nodded slightly. At that moment, a faint and delicate fragrance drifted to his nose, suffusing him with a sense of relaxation throughout his body. Even his spirits felt subtly revived.

“Is this incense?” Zhou Changwang could not help but ask.

“That’s right. We always have Tranquil Mind Incense burning in our shop,” Xiaowei replied softly. “It’s for our customers’ comfort. Even if you buy nothing, you can still leave in a pleasant mood.”

She showed no trace of disdain for Zhou Changwang’s plain clothes and apparent low cultivation. With light steps, she moved to a nearby tea table, poured some tea, and handed it to him. “Fellow cultivator, this is Centenary Black Spirit Tea from Red Broad Mountain. Please, enjoy.”

“Thank you!” Zhou Changwang accepted the cup gratefully and took a cautious sip.

The tea tasted sweet and mellow, but more importantly, it carried a gentle trace of spiritual energy. The annoyance he had felt from his encounter with Wang Chang seemed to melt away, replaced by a sense of ease.

“Such fine tea,” Zhou Changwang praised with an air of unschooled delight. Truly, this cup surpassed all the teas he had tasted in his previous life—perhaps only those rare, ancient teas worth hundreds of thousands could compare.

Of course, this was the world of cultivation. Centenary spirit tea was commonplace; millennium and even ten-thousand-year-old teas were not unheard of.

It was even rumored that there were enlightenment teas…

“May I have another cup?” After draining his tea in a single gulp, Zhou Changwang asked, savoring the aftertaste.

“Um…” Even with Xiaowei’s years of professional composure, her face stiffened for a split second, but she replied courteously, “Of course.”

She poured him another cup.

Zhou Changwang enjoyed a leisurely sip, relished the lingering flavor, and finally spoke: “Do you have any defensive spells or movement techniques?”

“Certainly. The basic ones include the Bodyguard Charm, Earth Spirit Shield, and Water Spirit Barrier. Slightly more advanced are the Flowing Cloud Water Screen, Earthen Wall Technique, and Verdant Vine Spell. For movement techniques, we offer the Lightening Step, Soaring Leap, Wave Treading, and Swiftstride. Which kind would you prefer?”

“What are their prices?” Zhou Changwang asked after a moment’s thought.

“The Bodyguard Charm is five low-grade spirit stones; Earth Spirit Shield and Water Spirit Barrier are a bit pricier, at seven each. The Flowing Cloud Water Screen, Earthen Wall Technique, and Verdant Vine Spell are all intermediate spells and much more expensive—thirty to forty low-grade spirit stones each. The Lightening Step is also five, Soaring Leap is thirty-seven, Wave Treading is twenty-five, and Swiftstride is thirty-two…”

Xiaowei’s tone was even and unhesitating.

“I’ll take the Bodyguard Charm and Lightening Step,” Zhou Changwang nodded, making his decision quickly.

It wasn’t that he didn’t wish for the more advanced spells—he was particularly tempted by the Flowing Cloud Water Screen, famed as the best defense for low-level cultivators. Once cast, it conjured a transparent water screen before the user, which could rotate freely like flowing water, not only blocking all sorts of attacks but also dissipating force.

The Verdant Vine Spell was also formidable, though it required a seed of verdant vine to cast. At the moment of activation, the seed would instantly sprout into a shield of intertwined vines, offering potent protection.

Yet Zhou Changwang had to prioritize his own safety. He didn’t know when danger might strike, nor was he confident he’d have time to master more complex spells and raise his skill proficiency. Hence, he settled for the basic Bodyguard Charm and Lightening Step.

Perhaps their power was less impressive, but they were cheap and easy to learn.

“Very well!” Xiaowei responded with her customary polite smile.

Next, Zhou Changwang selected a few more spells and a handful of spirit talismans. The spells were Soundproofing, Sword Control, and Foresight.

Soundproofing was inexpensive—just two low-grade spirit stones. Sword Control, which he bought to better wield his flying sword, was essential; low-level cultivators struggled to control magical weapons, and usually could only send them in a straight line. With Sword Control, he could direct the weapon at will, recalling it as needed—a huge improvement. Even after reaching the fourth level of Qi Refinement and gaining spiritual sense, Sword Control would still help him wield his sword with greater finesse. The spell was pricey, at eighty low-grade spirit stones, but he felt it was worth the expense and gritted his teeth to buy it.

Foresight was a last-minute decision. According to Xiaowei, it was a divination spell—useful for avoiding danger and seeking fortune. If ever he found himself in peril, this spell could point him toward a relatively safe path. He deemed it worthwhile and paid fifteen low-grade spirit stones.

As for the talismans, he chose the Swift Talisman, Golden Shield Talisman, and Frost Arrow Talisman. He did not skimp on quality, selecting only those crafted by renowned talismanists, each reputed for their power. The Swift Talisman cost three, the Golden Shield five, and the Frost Arrow Talisman was the most expensive at twelve low-grade spirit stones. With these three talismans at hand, he felt his safety was reasonably assured.

He had also considered buying a defensive robe, especially one called the Lightfoot Daoist Robe, which caught his fancy. Not only did it grant swiftness, but its built-in miniature array could, when activated with spiritual power, form a protective aura comparable to the true qi shield of an innate-stage martial artist—enough to block a couple of low-level spells.

But Xiaowei’s quoted price was daunting: a full six hundred low-grade spirit stones. He decided that with the Golden Shield Talisman, he was sufficiently protected. Anything more would be a waste.

As for magical implements, he already owned a flying sword. He had no immediate need for pills, nor was he skilled in puppet arts. Therefore, his final purchase was a bundle of Tranquil Mind Incense—twenty sticks in all, each burning for half an hour. After experiencing its benefits within the Six Directions Pavilion, he was convinced it would aid his cultivation.

Ten low-grade spirit stones—a mere fifty spirit shards per stick.

…

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